Write Early. Write Often…Write Something!

Head to Hand Connection

It's almost like an electric current. And at times, it feels a little painful. The tendons in my neck tense up. The muscles behind my ears feel tight and stiff. And I know I need to write. But there's a lot going on to take my attention, so in many ways this blog gives me the opportunity to express myself and expend that electricity!

Just finished reading the first book, A Maze of Bones, in the 39 Clues series. This one by Rick Riordan. It was a lot of what I loved as a kid in reading. Suspense. Danger. Helplessness. The feeling of not succeeding and then doing so. Somehow it seems more advanced in concept, language, structure and complexity than a middle grade book. Upper middle grade then? Okay, so now I'm hopelessly suckered in. I wasn't going to read them all, but <sigh> I guess I have to do that now! Yikes. No. Double Yikes! That's thirty nine books. Not that I'm complaining, but I have to read Gill's latest YA Sci-Fi and Bemis's 2nd installment and a couple of writing books that have been recommended. And, sheeze, Merlin third season is starting up soon! 

Monday Monday

Some writing today…but more reading. Finished Justin Case School, Drool and other Daily Disasters. I enjoyed the story of Justin, an Olympic class worry-wart. Well done! Justin can worry about just about anything, from school to dogs to his friends. But he figures out a lot of stuff too which is the great part of the story.

Then I wasn't tired of reading so I started the eighth book of Charlie Bone and the Red Knight. I like Charlie. He doesn't hesitate to stand up for his friends, he knows who his enemies are and he's willing to take a chance on the ones in-between.

Some writing, as I said. Trying to get the 'narrative arc' down for Bartholomew and the elements I really like are having a hard time fitting. grrgh! back to work.

A diversion…

Yes, I am interrupting this fascinating discussion of plot versus character to talk about books.
I just received the latest Artimus Fowl by Eoin Colfer. It gave me a headache. Did Eoin forget how to write Artimus. Or is he trying some new experiment? Because I was yanked back and forth through so many point of view changes that I think I have whiplash. Did someone not pay attention?

Yes I get that Artimus is having a breakdown. Part of the Atlantis Complex? Okay, I may have to return to the Time Paradox and re-read, but still. It's been two years but I shouldn't have forgotten so much.

Okay, it's decided. Stop The Atlantis Complex, read the Time Paradox. Then we'll talk.

Binge Reading

Binge Reading. That's what Rachel Vail called it and how true it is. 

I've gone back to books from my childhood to see what made me like mysteries in the first place. I've read Polly French-okay not really a mystery, and Judy Bolton. Yes, gave me some great ideas. And now into Nancy Drew. Went back to the first book, to see how Nancy developed and although it was a hugely different time, I do remember that a lot of it was about Nancy and how she saw the mystery, which was through her own desire or need or want to help others. She had the means and a father who supported her. My problem was I just couldn't find any good mysteries…

We interrupt this journey…

to note that we've found two Nancy Drew The Clue in the Jewel Box and The Clue of the Broken Locket, one Judy Bolton mystery The Haunted Attic, a Polly French and the Surprising Stranger and a Vicki Barr Air Stewardess Series, The Clue of the Gold Coin.

Now, I get to read them all! How great is that! Ahem, this is research, just like Paul Fleischman said you have to do! I love it when I get to read and I'm doing the right thing.